50-50 chance of retaining Potong Pasir: PAP incumbent Sitoh Yih Pin
PAP's Sitoh Yih Pin will be defending Potong Pasir SMC in the coming GE. Photo: Jason Quah
SINGAPORE — Having managed to wrest back the Potong Pasir single-seat ward on his third attempt from the Opposition, incumbent Member of Parliament Sitoh Yi Pin today (Aug 17) said he is taking nothing for granted as he seeks to defend the Single-Member Constituency in the coming polls.
Announcing his candidacy at a press conference held under a sheltered walkway in Potong Pasir, Mr Sitoh, 51, rated his chances at 50-50.
“I’m a first-term MP … after two failed attempts in 2001 and 2006. … When you won by only 114 votes the last time and have lost twice, you take nothing for granted,” he said, referring to his razor-thin winning margin in the 2011 General Election (GE).
Potong Pasir was helmed by veteran Opposition figure Chiam See Tong, who is now 80, for 27 years before he left the constituency to lead a team to contest in Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC in the GE four years ago. His wife Lina lost the seat with 49.6 per cent of the votes, while Mr Sitoh garnered 50.4 per cent.
Mr Sitoh said he had delivered on his promises made before the 2011 GE. These include continuing lift upgrading and home-improvement programmes, upgrading the community club, as well as rolling out a scheme that delivers groceries to needy households.
With 17,389 registered voters, Potong Pasir is the smallest constituency. It is expected to be the only one to witness a multi-cornered fight in the coming election, during which probably all constituencies will be contested for the first time in Singapore’s electoral history.
Mrs Chiam and independent hopeful Tan Lam Siong have indicated their interest to contest in the ward.
Mr Sitoh said: “Whether it’s a two-cornered or three-cornered fight, I think our chances of winning are 50-50. It is a very tough fight. After we finally won in 2011, I told my team members … ‘We need to work straight away because we have only 1,500 days (after the 2011 GE) to strengthen the relationship with residents and earn their trust.’”
Mr Sitoh said he would unveil his manifesto for the ward soon. New initiatives would include an internal bus service during peak hours, he said.
“Now for the next five years, (it) is to put a tick in every box … and deliver what we have promised in the next election,” he added.
